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Dave is proud to say that he was born and raised in Pittsburgh! All of his academic accomplishments (diploma and degrees) have come from learning institutions within the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. He has spent his entire professional career (currently 31 years) serving students in the public education system in Western Pennsylvania. Titles that he carried (or currently carries) include a middle school and high school Social Studies teacher, a middle school and high school Counselor and a varsity Head Football Coach! Dave is also a Licensed Professional Counselor in Pennsylvania.
Western Pennsylvania is definitely a unique and interesting place to live! It's got this mix of gritty history, natural beauty, cultural quirks, and a deep sense of identity. It's kind of a place where past and future collide, where people hold on tight to tradition while slowly embracing change. You don't just live-in western PA-you become a part of it!
However, throughout Dave's experiences, he has come to learn that Western Pennsylvania is not too different from other parts of our great country, especially when it comes to our educational systems at the middle school, high school and post secondary level. The things that he experiences during a school day is similar to what other teachers, counselors, and coaches experience at their schools. Many current students in our nation's educational system are fragile and lost. They lack a sense of courage, purpose and ambition. Because of recent societal events, mental health diagnoses are exploding among this age group. Anxiety and depression have become major barriers preventing our future generations from achieving their goals and dreams. Unfortunately, the mental health profession has increasingly leaned on medication as a viable solution to these mental health afflictions. It is Dave's belief that there are more effective ways to deal with anxiety and depression other than changing the chemical balance of the mind and body. For these reasons, Dave was compelled to write Faith, Hope and Love: The Space between Therapy Sessions - A Holistic Approach for Treating Adolescents and Young Adults with Anxiety and Depression.
It is Dave's hope that the content of his book will naturally relieve the anguish and pain that fills the hearts, minds and souls of our younger generations. |
